Almost everyone has a horror story about moving. Personally, we closed on our sale and moved two days after my daughter was born early. We closed on our purchase and moved three days after my father passed away. I still can’t find anything.

Here are some tips that I have learned through several moves — we’ve lived in five houses in six years and in four states in ten years. These tips will help you with the physical process of moving.

First, start by selling everything that you can. Or donate it or throw it away. You don’t need to hang on to all of the stored clothes, old books, old records and all the other junk just because you might need it someday. Besides freeing you up from household items you have to keep shifting through, eliminating extra items will put some moving money back in your pocket and save you money if you hire a moving company which charges by weight.

All household items you donate to a charitable organization have some value and can be deducted from your income for tax purposes. Just make sure that you get receipts.

If your children are grown, tell them to come and get their things or never see them again. You are parents, not a storage facility.

Plus, getting rid of the stuff and the clutter is very freeing. You begin to shop differently and can devote more time to your precious belongings.

If you are moving several miles away, you will want to be sure that your cars are up to the journey. A couple of weeks before you leave town, take your vehicles in to the shop and have them tuned up for the move. Make sure that they check the tires, anti-freeze and the water pump. If your tires wouldn’t pass an inspection, have them changed. Flush your anti-freeze to keep your vehicle operating cooler and have the air conditioner checked if you are traveling in the summer. Your water pump keeps the coolant going through your engine. No water pump, no engine.

You need to check into your insurance policies to make sure that you have enough coverage for your trip between houses. On the auto insurance, make sure that you have a road-side assistance rider. This coverage often only costs a few dollars and if you break down during the trip, they have a 24-hour number to call for assistance.

Find out if you are covered for damage to a rental truck, if you decide to move yourself. If not, you need to get that coverage. If your company doesn’t offer it, ask the rental company.

Contact your homeowners insurance company and let them know that you are traveling with all of your belongings. Make sure your trip is covered. If the truck crashes or is stolen during your trip, who pays for the damage or the loss?

You need to make an inventory of your valuables and household items for a record of their condition. This is as simple as video taping while packing. If you have a mishap, you have the evidence to show the insurance company.

If you hire a professional moving company, ask about their insurance coverage. Specifically, you need to know what is and isn’t covered and what limitations apply.